§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Energy why the insurance cover for the Sellafield reprocessing plant is due to be shifted from the United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority to the commercial market as from 1 April.
§ Mr. GoodladBecause of the establishment of the trading fund arrangements for the Atomic Energy Authority.
§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the Sellafield reprocessing plant is due to be insured against, among other things, earthquakes as from 1 April.
§ Mr. GoodladSellafield reprocessing plant has always been insured against earthquakes, and this continues under the new commercial arrangements.
§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Energy whether the underwriters from commercial insurance houses who will take on the insurance for the Sellafield reprocessing plant as from 1 April have been excluded from the meetings where the risks of accidents at Sellafield are assessed and safety measures discussed.
§ Mr. GoodladI am advised by British Nuclear Fuels that the underwriters have met it to discuss risks and safety in relation to insurance, and that BNF has fully met each and every request by the underwriters for information.